As I woke up still sleepy but some of the fatigue had subsided by now as I moved my hands to get my smartphone but can't find it as I stretched my hand more but then I fell off my bed and produced a 'thud' sound loud enough for the people sitting in the living room hear it and I woke up from my sleepy state as remembered I was not in my luxurious house and I don't have my smartphone here as I groned a little I heard Sophia's voice," ALEX are you, okay dear, what was that loud noise did you fell off your bed did you get hurt when you fell off let me see where does it hurt I will put some ointment on it and we can also go to a doctor for checkup tell where did you get hurt." As I somehow managed to get focused and heard her panicked voice I hurriedly said," No..No I am fine look I can jump and I can jog also I can stretch so don't worry about it, okay I will be there downstairs in ten minutes can you please make me something to eat I'm hungry and I will go get freshen up."
As I said this she nodded after giving me the last light checkup with her hands in the case of me lying about being hurt and when she was a little satisfied I took the opportunity and ran towards the washroom and locked the door to do my everyday things.
After I washed up I went to get something to eat man I'm famished those occlumency lessons sure took a toll on my body as I felt like I had a fuckedup level hangover which I had one time in my last life and It felt like someone thoroughly beaten me as I felt my whole body experience pain and hangover it was hell day for me and that also what happened today a magical hangover I have to tell grandma about it so that it won't happen again but first as I already missed my jogging I will just eat something and do some light at reaching and train with James and take a bath ( always take a bath after exercise clean yourself properly Alex takes it regularly) and then I will study and then we will go to grandma and grandpa and study magic casting finally I'll get to do some practical application and get to try it with a wand and up until now I have practiced without a wand and I can pretty much make use of some basic spells but it's quite taxing as I have to keep my focus on the object and if I loose focus said object will loose it magic supply and falls down.
I have also tried Almighty push but it went wrong as the ball got so much juice that it went right through my window and hit Mr. Sticks in the head and he lost consciousness so I did what any little responsible kid would do I shut my window and close the curtains as well and went out my room into the living room and asked Sophia that can I go outside to buy some candies as I don't demand it often so she agreed to it immediately and gave me some extra for ice cream well I'm not gonna reject goodwill when I get some.
And so I went out normally and went to a fence in our lawn as I eyed the ball and Mr. Sticks as I channeled my magic to gently levitate the ball as it was my first time doing from this much distance I had to concentrate hard as the ball started to move slowly but stopped as my focus got disrupted by a cat sometimes I hate cats as they will out of nowhere do the thing which will cause trouble for you I then withdrew my attention from the attention-seeking cat and focused on moving the ball again as I once again channeled my magic as the distance was too much for me the ball which was floating but at the same time it doesn't seem to float as it was barely any further from the ground as it felt like it was moving because of the wind. And after some time I got the ball back and all the evidence was cleared from the crime scene as I walked away trying to whistle but I suddenly, remembered I did not go out to buy candies and ice cream and ran towards a shop and bought the thing and went back home.
What an exhausting day it was as later after I came back, James told me that someone attacked Mr. Sticks with a ball and knocked him out and I pretended to be surprised as the occulumency did help out to mask my emotions and saved my sorry ass. As he was taken to a hospital and recovered his consciousness as I told him we should visit him as he is our neighbor and brought some cake for him from a nearby bakery and he was happy and healthy and I was a little guilt-free for putting him in the hospital. So as I finished eating I got up from my seat thanked Sophia for food and went to our under underground basement as I still thought why it was made in the first place but if your adoptive parents are retired spies you can take an educated guess or not like I care who they are or what they do if they love and care for me l will do the same.
As I reached there James was sitting on a chair as he said, " are you up for the training you look a little tired we can schedule it tomorrow if you need some rest you can take a day off from training." But I shook my head as I said," no-no I am okay now I was just more tired yesterday and I already missed my morning jog and stretching I think some training will do to make up for it all." And he nodded I began to practice my hand-to-hand forms. After some time we finished our training as we went back to have a bath. After the bath went to study for some time and after that, we went to grandma and grandpa's house.
After we reached there we bid each other farewell and James said he will come back at seven as I already asked Sophia about staying late at grandmas house and they also have no problem with it so they agreed and then I went to the study and told grandma all about it and she said, " It happened because it was your first-time trying to shield your mind from an attack of a legilimen but you will naturally improve on it but it'll not become easier as you will have to bear some pain whenever you fight with your mind." And I nodded at her answer as today we were gonna test my first layer of shield and make some conclusion at the end of it like if I have to make some more effort into making it more sturdy or it will be enough for now.
And for the second shield, I asked grandma if I can come up with the ways I want to design my second layer of mind shield and she asked, " And why do you think that your ways can be better than the traditional way as practiced for generations by the whole wizarding world."
And I said to her," grandma as you have told me and what I have learned from the books is that nearly the whole wizarding world( at least in Britain ) learns the same types of mind magic technique but what happens when someone tries to take an unorthodox path and makes his/her own unique type of mind shield as he/she can be the only ones who know how it works as he/she can make a maze-like shield in which he/she can actually have a chance or time to think of solutions for reversing the situation or casting his/her own legilimency or any other spell or show the intruder his/her own darkest memories and make him/her confused for even a second. And as you said a second of hesitation or negligence may cost you your life and in the battle of minds only those who had a superior mind can outwit the opponent/enemy and may win it or even draw it out until help arrives."
As she mulled over my words after some time she agreed to it and said," we will do it as you said but if it is not feasible we will go back and do it the traditional way." And I smiled and nodded at her words as I had a little over four days until my occlumency training begins and two and a half months until my school starts and I'm gonna take every chance I get to learn something new.
After some more theories on that topic and other topics, I went to where grandpa was waiting for me as I entered with grandma through the wall just like the platform entrance between nine and ten in the movies but here it was inside the house as beyond the wall was the huge and spacious room where grandpa stood with wands in his hands as he nodded in our direction and said," Ready for the spells, charms, and hex along with some transfiguration training Alex." And I thought there is a variety here now that I think about it grandpa is also cool. And I nodded hurriedly as he began to teach me some spells relatively easy ones first which are taught in first year's like the spell 'Aberto' used to open door. Another set of spells and their powered-up versions like - Alohomora( for opening any and every locked door, chests cabinets, etc), Alohomora duo( as the name suggests I will not dwell deeper if duo, tria, totalus, maxima, etc came up if you want it I will mention when I use them in the chapters).
Accio for making any object you want to come towards you. But the downside of this spell is that the said object will come to you with full force so he also showed me some more spells to help me in not getting injured by my own accioed things. The first he taught me was Impedimenta which Slows down or stops the target.
Next, he showed me Immobulus (Freezing Charm) as the name implies it freezes any object or person alike. Another one he showed me was the legendary one which I saw in the movies Arresto Momentum (Slowing Charm) Decreases the velocity of a moving target. Can be used on multiple targets, as well as on the caster themselves. and also some anti-Accio charms.
He also showed/told me jinxes such as Jelly-Brain Jinx, Oppugno (Oppugno Jinx - cause targeted object to attract enemy), Orbis(Sucks the target into the ground. Some similarity with hiding like a mole Jutsu which Kakashi uses quite frequently in naruto). And also some wand lighting spells and variations of lighting spells such as Lumos ( duo, trial, maxima) Also Lumos Solem which causes a blinding flash of sunlight.
And also taught me Nox (Wand-Extinguishing Charm) can't go pointing my wand alight in another's face so I learned as he taught me but can't learn every spells as I have a limit and my limit was till I cast a 'tria' spell which was already very good in there opinion as the praised me a lot. Still, I tried to perform some maxima spells and freezing spells in which I cast freezing spells successfully but maxima I can only cast two out of five times. But I also wanted to cast Aresto momentum perfectly alas can't hold it up for a long time minutes to be precise and sometimes not even that as it takes too much concentration.
As the day ended I had done very well with quite a few spells cast perfectly and then we went to eat some evening meal and tea and I was given some juice well I'm still a kid so no tea for me. And after having the meal I asked them," Can we someday go to the Diagon alley as I want to explore it and also Gringotts bank to check if there is any way to find my real parents please." As they heard it they denied it immediately as they said it would be too problematic and they didn't want the chance of my parents finding out about it. And I also agreed as I thought ' I still have time '. As we talked about it I heard the honking of the horn and we got up from the chairs and went toward the door as I bud my farewells to them and we drove off to our home. The couple stared at the car for a while and then went inside as Mary said, Should we tell him or wait for a bit more as he learns more magic." And Richard said," I think we should at least wait for a bit more as for the learning part he's already a genius for doing high level spells many times ( trias are not easy-pease spells it needs much more concentration) and he also learned and performed them in one day it's got to the greatest day of my life to see a seven years old casting with this much perfection and passion his learning capability was quite good but after some days of learning occlumeny and developing only the first layer of shield his capabilities have jumped up to Merlin's knees and if he continues his studies like this he will be unstoppable but that is what I fear the most and do not want to create a new dark lord so we should not tell him right now about anything as we have already made arrangements if something happens and taken all possible countermeasures for all possible scenarios."
On this Mary also said," Yes you're right we should just focus on teaching Alex and be as serious about it as possible on the things we teach. We should also teach him how the wizarding economy works and about politics and its main leaders also about the pureblooded houses and how many are there. We will tell him about our allies and enemies after his eighth birthday. We have already made our will so right now we should only focus on his teaching and practical application and teach him right and wrong from the get-go so he can always make decisions with a calm mind and chose a way out of any situation with no/ minimum sacrifices and gain the best of everything that he strives to achieve. As they talked with each other they came back to where they previously sat and Mary said," sugar, candy." As she said those names two 'pop' noises sounded and out of thin air two house-elf's appeared as they bowed to Mary and Richard.
Then Mary said, " Sugar first clean up the table. Then with Candy make some dinner. Candy cleaned up the study and put the books back to their place as well." And the two elves bowed once again and said in unison, " Yes Madam." And with a pop sound, they disappeared. As they sat there Mary said, How was the response to your letters which you send to you acquaintance/associates."
Richard said," They said they will try their best but... If they saw any harm coming to them they will bail out from it and if asked they will straight out relinquish anything to do with this work and will directly remove any evidence that points in their direction. But the good thing is they will not out us if they get into trouble as I had already prepared the contract of secrecy for all this in advance and they signed it without any hesitation. Well, I can only hope that this little hunch we have can produce any clue for us.
But then Mary smiled and said, " Well, that note it's better for us if they get some clues. Enough about that tell me something why did you teach him advanced application of some basic spells as you said that you will be only going to teach him basic spells but then you went and taught him those advanced applications why?"
As Richard laughed a little at her question and said, ". Well at first I thought of teaching him only the basics as that will be enough for any child of his age but as I continued to teach him I saw something in him his smile his fiery passion for magic and his will to achieve the pinnacle of perfection and it got also got me fired up to teach him more as he like a sponge absorbs knowledge so I began to show him and teach him difficult to perform magic for kids of his age but he stumped me again by showing me his great focus and concentration and his will to give his hundred percent if not one hundred twenty but there is also a mature side that he showed that was that knew when he needs to ask for help and also when to give up and not let others worry about him much. He has great qualities and comparing any genius to him is an insult to him. But we have to make sure that he stays like he is like the humble and kind and caring personality he has and that perfection is an illusion as when he thought he achieved perfection he will become stagnant and that is the biggest problem he will face and if let it get to his head he will be in greater danger than facing an Avada because anyone can dodge that curse if they tried I have done it but never let it get to my head so we have tons to teach him and he to learn it all."
As they chatted for a long time until dinner was served and they ate and went to sleep.
[MC POV]
As we went inside the car I was thinking about all the things I learned today ' I learned a lot and Richard is a great teacher but he taught me some spells which are not considered basic did he do it to test me. I don't know but I just had this feeling inside me even before learning occlumeny that they are testing me and gauging my magical aptitudes with political and ethical thinking and also my moral and logical thoughts on some topics they give me as homework as I try to do my bare minimum so they do not take me as a monstrous genius of genius but I think I still overdone it a little today as I was so enchanted by all the magical spells shown to me that I in trans did most of the spells without any do-overs and I'm not sure what they think about it all as they though said nothing about it and talked to me like they use to so I think I'm still safe and it doesn't bother them as much as I thought at first but they still noticed it, fooling a veteran master a kid can dream right at the very least I can tell they still treat me as there grandson.
Talk about getting lucked out twice the son of spies who have deep connections inside the system in the muggle world, grandmaster level grandparents who are also top dogs in their work, and a mystery family which I have to still find 'Gregory' that only clues I have and I still can't talk about it and ask grandma and grandpa to search for them as that would arouse suspicion as to how can a kid who was barely a few hours remembered all those things and on top of that a name when he can't even read and write any language so I have to do that on my own as well at a later date.
As I thought about all this I suddenly thought about the thing I asked grandma can they take me to Diagon alley and I said to James, " Um... I have a question." As I paused and James gave a go-ahead sign as I continued, " I have been watching you both taking care of me by sacrificing your own alone time with each other so I was thinking that you guys should go out together sometime as now that I have grandma and grandpa they can also take care of me for a day as you to go out and have fun with each other and watch some movies go to eat at a restaurant or go on a picnic just the two of you as I would be happy if you do it." As said this James just smiled but didn't say anything the whole way and I thought that I said something inappropriate or it was not my place for saying these things to them as they are already adults but then I sighed as I thought it would do me no good if I mulled over it needlessly as I started to focus on my occlumeny shield first layer trying to make it sturdy as much as possible who knows when it will come in handy.
And so we reached home when I was still focused on my training as I got down from the car and greeted Sophia and then went straight to my room after telling her that I was a little tired and will come down when the dinner is ready as I got in my room and washed my self up as I went on top of my bed and laid their eyes close and started to do mental simulations of all the things I learned today and before.
It's a new way to improve myself when my body is tired as it also helps me in my occlumeny and I discovered it after learning it occlumeny as some of it also comes from the red stone yeah I located it as I one time was trying to focus and making my first shield more sturdy but an accident happened and all my memories came crashing down on my mind and overloaded it a lot and I lost consciousness and was out for the night and woke up the next afternoon all groggy and as I sat on the bed for some time and got my bearing back I said ' holy shit that was not something I would like to do once more the feeling of memories collapsing on itself I could have become brain dead for fucks sake as I cursed all I wanted at my stupidity and then when I calmed down I smiled a little maniacally as I had found the red stone it was this red stone that helped in my time of need in both worlds. But there was a slight problem as the stone was at the center of where my magic core/ soul ( what ever you want to call it) should be and I can see some light orb like thing around it and it felt like that that orb was shattered and now it's still trying to complete itself by combining with the stone as it now looks nearly complete and after some more years, it will be fully complete.
And as I was still lying on my bed I thought about it again how my soul got shattered and If not for the stone either I have to live like a squib or I would have died in the womb and that scared the hell out of me man. The thought about dying once was enough for some people to shit their pants and dying twice that's straight fucking out wrong and I had come close to dying thrice or more I don't know and I just don't want myself to be in the line of fire and get unlucky and turned in a puff of smoke but I can't do that as it going to get fucking chaotic right after I enter that hell hole of a school as from the first year I will get voldyquirrel teaching us and at the end, it's going to be a shit show. But I have to face all the adversities thrown at me, for my current family, for the family to which I have been separated, and to my future friends, allies, followers, lovers, etc. So the gist of it all is that I have to get stronger first and also help my allies get stronger as well and also find allies in the younger generation the old ones are all hogged up and divided into factions so by the end of it all I will control everything from the shadows and I will make it happen.
So with determined eyes, I went to the dinner table and then remembered what I said to James and he should have told Sophia about it by now as they both were looking and smiling at me as I tried to smile back awkwardly as we continued with our dinner and after finishing my dinner and nearly choking on it I tried to run back to my room but was stopped by a hand on my shoulder as I turned to look at the owner of the hand and to my relief, it was James as he said, " where are you going stay with us and spend some time with us."
As he said and I nodded as It was true that I was not spending as much time as I should have spent with them and I thought it would be good to spend some time with the family as I will not have that much time to spend with them and so I sat back down on the chair as I said," um.... I am sorry for not spending time with you guys as whenever I came back from grandmas place as I played and helped her out there in her work as she is so old so I feel very tired and just come to eat and sleep after all the time I spent there with them and neglected you guys and I'm sorry for that as I will make some time for you guys too as you the ones who adopted me when I was all alone in the world you were the ones who nursed me when I was ill and you both help me to be here with a roof over my head and food in my belly and with clothes on my body and a warm bed to sleep in and you guys are the greatest parents I could have hoped for as I don't know who my real parents are why they left me there but you took me in and saved me from being a lonely orphan and I thank you for all that with all my heart and will strive to become a more caring and understanding son."
As they heard this and James was totally stumped as I had bowled him as I can clearly see it (those who do not watch cricket and find out yourself {kidding} in cricket there is a pitch a bowler a batsman and behind him are these three sticks with bails on top it and the bowlers aim is to hit the sticks and the batsman will go back to his teammates to cry his sorry ass of end of the story go back to reading thankyou). But on the other hand, Sophia had tears in her eyes as she was looking at me and rushed toward me and hugged me in her embrace, and I hugged back as I thought 'I had left my family alone in my pursuit of power and strength I should cherish every moment I got with them and let them feel my love in return for there's as well.' And at this time James who always prefer to watch from afar and was not a hugger also came towards us as I felt for the first time he was feeling something towards me as if he was seeing me as his son after all these years as I can tell what he felt towards me it was not something bad but he just didn't connect with me even after living with me for many years as he always felt that I was a responsibility which was brought by his wife's whim and he has to complete it to make his lovely wife happy.
But James who was hugging us had different emotions as he for the first time saw me as a son he would be proud to have and would do anything to protect us both.
As we separated Sophia said, " So you are a big man huh giving speeches like that and making me cry but you are wrong on some things young man you were the moment I took you inside this house my son I don't know what happened to your parents and I don't care if someday they came to find you and take you away but you will always be MY son and nobody can make me call you that even if you go with your parents and that will happen someday because I know that they will come or you will find them as you are all in all a bonafide genius and don't pretend that you don't understand what we say because it's true that I didn't give you birth but I was with you for seven years took care of you and saw you grow for seven years and you 'young man' do not act like seven years old do and I have seen many kids in my life and I also know that you know that what we are and what we had done and you didn't asked us about it even once even after knowing that's why I and James decided to let you train it was not a normal training we were giving you and I know you know it. And you child are quite mature even more mature than most adults and that's a dead giveaway. You being here on the day we received you in the middle of the night and middle of the road we know that your origin is not normal but I didn't care and took you in as my only son. So don't ever say that you are thankful as it should be me who should say that so thank you to giving me a chance to be a mother to such a remarkable young man. And whatever your origin is you make us proud okay.
As we hugged again and soph- mother and father were both huggings me and crying a little as did I. So I made another resolve a resolve on my emotion and tears to protect and keep them having such life.
As we went to sleep after that. And when I woke up and finished my daily jog. I got to know that they were planning to go to movies and on coming Sunday and I will be staying with grandma and grandpa and they would be picked up at Nine at night as they will be eating out that day. I was really very happy not only did I get to have a day with grandma and grandpa but they will be out spending some time with each other after a long time. And I began to anticipate what I would do on Sunday it's still six days away and did not intend to let this opportunity pass.
------------(Scene end)-------------
Authors note:-
Just wanna say thank you for the comments and the stone it gives me some new motivation to continue my work.
Alex's life has begun a new chapter as he has now confirmed that the red stone is still with him. And he also began to learn spells and occlumeny. And he has no secrets to withhold from his parents okay maybe some but they will also be revealed soon and in time I will also introduce something new. If you have guessed it then comment on it before the next chapter comes out.
Lastly any ideas on what types of occlumeny's second shield he should put into consideration as there are many shapes and it is quite confusing which to use as I was thinking of it like some layered but mazed type. What do you guys think tell me? In the comments, I will be waiting.
And sorry for the long paragraphs as I try to cut some of them into two or three but some times it just messes things up so I left some as it is.
Patreon is here guys
patreon.com/Raj_02singh
Thank you again, readers.